Before Election Day

Voter Registration:

In order to vote in the state of Michigan you must be a U.S. Citizen, 18 years old by election day, and a resident of the State of Michigan and the city you are applying to vote in. You must be registered to vote by Tuesday, October 9.

You can register to vote in person or by mailing the Michigan Voter Registration Application to the City Clerk's Office. Please bring photo ID when registering to vote in person. If you mail in your voter registration and have never been registered to vote in Michigan you must vote in person at your first election.‍

Absentee Voter (AV):

Once you are registered to vote, you have the option to apply for an absentee ballot application. There are a few requirements you must meet to obtain an AV ballot, but if you have questions or other circumstances, please call the City Clerk’s Office at 248-546-2525, option 1 on the auto attendant to see if you qualify and to apply. You can also apply by completing our online application form and return it to the City Clerk by mail or use our convenient drop box outside City Hall. Please note that voters applying in person must provide photo identification to be issued a ballot. AV applications must be received by Saturday, November 3 at 2:00 p.m.

If you are granted an AV ballot, the in-person voting deadline is Monday, November 5 at 4:00 p.m. In-person voting takes place at City Hall.

Do Your Homework:

The ballot for this election is long! By doing your homework before election day, you can help the voting process move quickly and smoothly and avoid using google at the poll! Once you are at your polling location, the City is not allowed to provide information about ballot items or candidates, which is why it’s important to be informed ahead of time.

Please be aware that straight party voting (choosing a party and voting for every candidate from that party) is not an option, so be prepared. It is encouraged that you view a sample ballot before November 6!

The three proposals on the ballot are:

18-1 Coalition to Regulation Marijuana Like Alcohol A proposed initiated law to authorize and legalize possession, use and cultivation of marijuana products by individuals who are at least 21 years of age and older, and commercial sales of marijuana through state-licensed retailers.

18-2 Voters Not PoliticiansA proposed constitutional amendment to establish a commission of citizens with exclusive authority to adopt district boundaries for the Michigan Senate, Michigan House of Representatives and U.S. Congress, every 10 years.

18-3 Promote The VoteA proposal to authorize automatic and Election Day voter registration, no-reason absentee voting, and straight ticket voting; and add current legal requirements for military and overseas voting and post election audits to the Michigan Constitution.‍

Election Day

On Tuesday, November 6 the polls open at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 8 p.m. You must be in line at your registered polling location by 8 p.m. to vote.

If you have an AV ballot, it must be at City Hall by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6 to be counted. They can be mailed, dropped off in person, or placed in the drop box outside of City Hall. If you are mailing your AV ballot, please make sure it is mailed in time to be at City Hall by election day. DO NOT bring AV ballots to a precinct.

We expect a large turnout on Election Day and have taken steps to assure that a ballot shortage does not occur again. The County Clerk will be provided ballots for 100% of registered voters. This is a drastic change from the primary election where ballots for 23% of registered voters were provided and 42% showed up. Despite issues in the primary election, the Ferndale Election Team handled the issues in the most efficient and professional manor –providing voters with a positive experience and will do so again for the General Election.

Register to vote, do your homework, and get out there and exercise your right on Tuesday, November 6!

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POST WRITTEN BY

Lindsey Gunsorek

Communications Specialist

CONTACT INFORMATION

City of Ferndale, Michigan300 East Nine Mile RoadFerndale, Michigan 48220